Real Madrid tell James Rodriguez he can leave this summer – report

Real Madrid have told attacking midfielder James Rodriguez he is free to leave the club this summer, according to the Daily Mirror.

They claim Rodriguez is free to join Manchester United when he leaves the Bernabeu if Ed Woodward can meet the Colombian international’s £50m asking price.

Rodriguez joined Madrid after starring in the 2014 World Cup, but he has struggled to establish himself on the first-team after falling out of favour with new boss Zinedine Zidane.

The European champions paid £56m for his services from French side Monaco two years ago, but would take a slight loss in his resale as a result of his disappointing form.

Jose Mourinho is looking to make a statement signing this summer and could even make two as a deal for Zlatan Ibrahimovic is said to be in the works, if the club can complete Rodriguez’s deal at Old Trafford it would underline the Portuguese manager’s intent to assemble a world-class squad capable of winning titles.

He is in talks with a number of clubs over a potential transfer but his agent Jorge Mendes also represents Mourinho which adds further weight to any talks over a move to Old Trafford.

Our problems up front were well documented last season under Louis van Gaal and there’s no doubt a player of Rodriguez’s ability would help inject a huge amount amount of quality into the team moving forward.

If he is willing to join United then the club should be doing everything they can to make the transfer happen.